- Responsible Department: Student Affairs & Enrollment Management
- Approving Body: President/Cabinet
- Effective Date: 23-JUN-2025
- Review/Revision Date: 01-OCT-2025
PURPOSE:
The Western New Mexico University (WNMU) seeks to create a safe environment that contributes to student success and promotes the acquisition of knowledge. The university takes the prevention, threat, and elimination of hazing seriously, and all forms of hazing are strictly prohibited.
POLICY:
This policy is to outline the prohibition of hazing at WNMU; define hazing; describe the procedures for reporting hazing, describe the university’s response to reports of hazing; outline corrective action and discipline for violations of this policy; explain the process whereby individuals may obtain information about hazing misconduct; and provide information about hazing prevention and awareness resources and programs.
APPLICABILITY
Prevention of hazing is a shared responsibility and all WNMU community members are responsible for conducting themselves in a manner that supports an environment free from hazing.
This policy applies to hazing that occurs on WNMU property, at WNMU-sponsored or affiliated events, regardless of university approval or recognition.
Both individual student(s) and/or student organizations can be held accountable for violation(s) of this policy.
In addition to this policy, students and student organizations may also be subject to policies, regulations, and guidelines set by the NCAA, national or international organizations, and other affiliated oversight entities.
DEFINITIONS:
HAZING: For the purposes of this policy, hazing is defined as an intentional, knowing, or reckless act committed by a person, whether individually or in concert with other persons against another person or persons, regardless of the willingness of such other person or persons to participate that:
• was committed in connection with, initiation into, an affiliation with, or the maintenance of membership in, a student organization; and
• causes or creates a risk, above the reasonable risk encountered in the course of participation at WNMU or a student organization (such as the physical preparation necessary for participation in an athletic team or military training exercise) of physical or psychological injury.
STUDENT: A student currently enrolled.
STUDENT ORGANIZATION: For the purposes of this policy, a student organization refers to any student group at WNMU, including but not limited to a club, society, association, athletic team, club sports team, band, or student government—with two or more members enrolled at WNMU, regardless of whether the organization is officially recognized by the University.
UNIVERSITY POLICY: A WNMU written regulation or proscription, including but not limited to those found in the Student Code of Conduct (“SCOC”), Regent’s policies, University Administrative policies, Compliance policies, Academic policies, student organization policies, and Residence Life regulations.
PROHIBITED CONDUCT
The following behaviors constitute examples of violation(s) of this policy, recognizing that similar behaviors not listed may also be prohibited:
A. Involvement in the planning, direction, or commissioning of hazing and/or being present during hazing.
B. Failing to intervene to prevent or stop hazing if the person has knowledge of a planned hazing activity.
C. Failing to assist or seek assistance if the person knows or reasonably should know that another is in danger from effects of hazing.
D. Whipping, beating, striking, electronic shocking, placing of a harmful substance on someone’s body, or similar activity.
E. Causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing sleep deprivation, personal servitude or exploitative labor, restrictions on personal hygiene, exposure to the elements, confinement in a small space, extreme calisthenics, or other similar activity.
F. Humiliating or degrading acts, whether physical, verbal, or psychological.
G. Causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing another person to consume food, liquid, alcohol, drugs, or other substances.
H. Causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing another person to perform sexual acts.
I. Any activity that places another person in reasonable fear of bodily harm through the use of threatening words or conduct.
J. Any activity against another person that includes a criminal violation of local, State, Tribal, or Federal law.
K. Any activity that induces, causes, or requires another person to perform a duty or task that involves a criminal violation of local, State, Tribal, or Federal law.
HOW TO REPORT HAZING
WNMU encourages all members of the WNMU community to report suspected hazing, including through anonymous submissions. Reports should include as much specific and accurate information as possible to support a thorough review. While anonymous reports may limit the University’s ability to respond, they can still help identify patterns or areas of concern.
The Vice President of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management or designee normally serves as the primary University office for receiving and addressing hazing reports. Reports may be submitted online at Submit a Hazing Report.
Reporting suspected hazing to a national organization or third-party entity does not replace the importance of reporting directly to WNMU.
Nothing in this section prevents any individual from reporting hazing or suspected hazing to the following offices:
• WNMU Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management
• WNMU Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs
• WNMU Campus Police Chief
• WNMU Vice President of Office of Compliance and Communications
• WNMU Executive Director of Civil Rights/Title IX Coordinator
• WNMU Athletics Director
WNMU RESPONSE TO REPORTS OF HAZING
The Vice President of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management or designee holds primary responsibility for addressing student disciplinary matters. Hazing allegations are handled in accordance with disciplinary procedures as outlined in the WNMU Student Disciplinary Procedure (“SDP”) section of the WNMU Student Handbook. International or national fraternal organizations or law enforcement agencies may conduct concurrent investigations.
A sanction will be issued only in matters where an individual Student(s) and/or Student Organization(s) has been found responsible for violating the Anti-Hazing Policy or Student Code of Conduct (“SCOC”). following the procedures outlined in the SDP in the WNMU Student Handbook.
HAZING PREVENTION AND EDUCATION
WNMU uses resources from StopHazing.org to raise awareness and education to stop hazing before it occurs using evidence-based programs.
HAZING TRANSPARENCY REPORT
Effective December 23, 2025, the Western New Mexico University is required to publish a Hazing Transparency Report (“HTR”) identifying incidents of hazing involving student organizations that were reported, investigated and resulted in a finding of responsibility for conduct occurring on or after July 1, 2025. The HTR will disclose the name of the student organization, a general description of the violation(s), whether hazing involved the abuse or illegal use of alcohol or drugs, key dates (e.g., when hazing took place [if known], investigation start and end date, when a student organization was notified of the outcome, findings of responsibility, and assigned sanctions (if any).
Information provided in the Hazing Transparency Report (HTR) does not include personally identifiable information about any individuals. Student organizations under active investigation do not appear in the report until an investigation concludes with a finding of responsibility. Unconfirmed allegations or cases without a finding of responsibility are not included.
Additionally, the HTR does not include incidents involving unrecognized or unaffiliated student organizations. WNMU is required to update the HRT semi-annually (at least twice a year) and maintain entries in the report for five (5) years.
Annual statistics on hazing are available in the University’s Annual Security & Fire Safety Report beginning with the 2026 report. Hazing statistics include incident reports that meet the federal definition of hazing in Section 485(f)(6)(A) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1092(f)(6)(A)) and may include incidents that occur on-campus or in certain off-campus facilities affiliated with the University. These statistics do not reflect confirmed investigations or findings of hazing and may include locations beyond those listed in the Hazing Transparency Report.
FEDERAL ANTI-HAZING LAW
ANTI-HAZING RESOURCES
• National Hazing Hotline
888-NOT-HAZE or 888-668-4293
Anti-Hazing Education
https://antihazingeducation.com/hazing-prevention-resources/
• Clery Center
https://www.clerycenter.org/hazing
• Hazing Prevention Network
https://hazingpreventionnetwork.org/
• Max Gruver Foundation
https://www.maxgruverfoundation.com
• Stop Hazing
https://stophazing.org/